- I see so many new posters who seem to be using their real names. Some post a first initial with what seems to be a real last name. Even a first name and last initial, with your town, can divulge too much information.
To do so is extremely dangerous regarding privacy issues. Even if you don't mind the world knowing you have (or may have lyme), insurance companies do search patients' names. Most insurance companies do not want to pay for lyme treatment - at all.
Also, some life insurance companies will not cover someone who has had lyme.
I don't know if one can re-register with another web name. But, if you see this BEFORE you sign up, please use a screen name that no one can figure out. Privacy concerns run deep.
Anyone can search a name and if it's here at LymeNet, it can show up with a web search for years to come. Same with most web sites.
Never post your real name, address, phone, names of family members or even the exact ages of your children on any public site. It's best to not post any particulars about your children as some who read all public sites can be searching for those who are vulnerable. Not everyone who reads this site is someone who wants to help. It is a public site.
All that said, most here are very helpful and here to make the world a better place, keeping your personal safety in mind along the way. -
[ 10-20-2011, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by Siciliano (Member # 15920) on :
Keebler, you are ABSOLUTELY right! Thank you so very much for posting this information.
I think this should be made a sticky! I think this should be placed right up there by "new posters--read this first".
Keebler, this is very important for posters to see and know. Thank you for posting. Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- LymeToo posted this at another forum:
And I would also suggest not posting your email address as your screen name!!!!
Both of the above scare ME to death! . . . It's really been bothering me. I get worried about these folks!
(TuTu) -
Posted by KatePaint (Member # 22524) on :
ack! this makes me sad it has to come to this
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
The internet has never been a "safe" place.
Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
Suppose your real name is:
John Doe or Jim Smith or Don Johnson or Bill Board if female Bridget Jones or Suzie Queue or Marilyn Monroe
at which case the name creates its own obscurity!!! By the way I'm going to admit to all my friends at lymenet -- I'm really not one of the Rockefellers -- so you won't see me on the news!!!
So my real name is : Fred Flinstone 1 Boulder Drive Bedrock, 50,000 BC
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Well, if your real name is one of those, it's still important to not post city and state or other identifying factors that an insurance company could use to link one with lyme . . .
or prospective employers / current employers could use to railroad one's insurance or career . . .
dates when one will be out of town should never be posted . . .
or details that predators could use to find kids who are more vulnerable. -
Posted by Debbeejo (Member # 25517) on :
I went to the profile to change my username, but it didn't give me that option. Any suggestions?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Debbeejo,
I think your web name should be fine as it appears not to be a full real name. I'm not sure how to change names - the webmaster would know that.
If you wanted even more privacy, though, you could change your location to just SE US or NC. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- For more about how to protect privacy and strengthen identity theft protection regarding web use, TerryK posted these links at another thread.
Parents... Sometimes there are "trolls" on Lyme disease boards who will cause trouble for you if you have children with Lyme disease.
They can try charging you with Munchausen's by Proxy. It has happened several times on this board and I'm sure it happens on other lyme disease boards.
You can get your screen name changed by contacting "Jenifer" .. or one of the moderators. Jenifer is the only one who can actually change it... but you can contact one of the moderators to help you get the ball rolling.
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